The Radiant gathered into the meeting room, listening attentively as Jake shared the information he had received from Reinstar. The fire warrior told them about Brakt, the princess's suggestions, and Pilot returning. When he finished, Jake exhaled softly as he stared at all of them.

Jake spoke with a serious tone. "That's it. That's all I’ve been told. Learning about Brakt makes me feel he might be the first threat we will face. Honestly, I was expecting to face small skirmishes and hunt down criminals and relics before something major happens."

"I was expecting something like performing odd jobs and occasional hijinks," said Ryu. "Like protecting a noble, finding a flower, and monster extermination while embarressing things happen."

"Alterbeast." informed Lina as she stared at the documents. "We were told the designated name rather than the rudimentary name for the abnormal creatures on Galvania."

"We might be enlisted for odd jobs if they want us to ease us in their world." added Christina. "But back to Brakt. To summarize, he is a disgraced military commander who was ousted by the combined effort of Silverburg, Chiara, and a select few from Guardian... right?"

"Ja," Jack nodded. "He abused his rank to conduct secret deals like a simple thug to help boost his unit and image. Some of those deals threatened peoples' lives. His schemes unravled because someone from the Chiara military found out and enlisted Guardian to help eliminate the root of the problem."

"A few of his projects involved extorting people through a third party." Tanya grimaced. "An uncouth method that led to him executing several mediators due to his paranoia."

"More than likely, they would have snitched on him if they had the chance." scoffed Sam. "If I heard rumors about being wiped out because you're crazy? Nope, not going to be involved in that."

"We know it's not the current head of Guardian, right?" asked Amy.

"It's not," replied the fire warrior. "He retired, but still visits HQ, though not often."

"Then I believe they can handle it if Brakt tries to find him, but I'm worried about the Kingdom of Chiara." The light warrior looked around. "Kari's father might be in danger and he might use her as bait."

"Very likely." The terra warrior remarked. "He may have been aware of Brakt's intention, but his attention are on those who helped uncover the plot, than the king."

"He could still a-abduct Kari." wondered Blair.

"Yeah." the lightning warrior slammed his fists. "If we were there we could do the old fashioned, save the princess as noble warriors."

"Could we be on the list?" asked the light warrior. "We are kind of members of Guardian."

"Would he be beastly e-enough to try and kill us?" wondered the shadow warrior. "He knows our role."

"Aye, he might have seen Valcron's manuscript." stated the flora warrior. "He might've initially resisted, but then unknowingly fall under Valcron's command. If he hasn't, then he might develop plans to distract us."

"He might just be a punk that found an artifact." interjected the wind warrior. "Piper found one, and he decided to globetrot around the planet for a genie."

"Not all artifacts are created from chaos." reminded the water warrior. "All he wants is vengeance.

"All cards are on the table," stated the fire warrior. "What we know is Brakt is someone we might have to fight, and we'll likely encounter others like him." He tapped the document. "We have to train and learn from Kari's suggestions."

"About that." the wind warrior held up a document with a smirk. "We're all going to put our hands on the Rovers. Anybody feel wild about it?"

"Wild does not begin to describe how I feel!" The lightning warrior displayed a mad grin. "We just need to pass the test, get a license and we will be the only teenagers in two worlds to drive alien tech. Even better, we can fly them!"

"Fascinating," The flora warrior showed a euphoric smile. "I'll be delving into improving my Ivy Seed. Is it possible to incorporate a way to filter toxins? My mind is cooking with ideas!'

The terra warrior nodded. "I'll be improving my interrogating techniques. Carefully acquiring the information will help us not

"And negotiation," said the water warrior. "We need to try to persuade others. Sometimes a punch in the face can't defeat an enemy."

The ice warrior nodded with a smirk. "We could potentially charm our potential clients."

"I guess I need to work to be more persuasive." said the fire warrior. "Maybe I can talk my way out of a fight if there is no need for it."

"Or make epic speeches to a crowd!" declared the lightning warrior. "The masses will hang on to every word."

"Yeah," the fire warrior snorted. "That's not going to end badly for me if I say something offensive."

"Kari suggested emblem adroits," said the shadow warrior. "Curious about that."

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"Let's make sure we know enough." agreed the light warrior. "Did you know there are many types of fabric that rely on a person's mana?" She held up a piece of cloth. "This type of fabric can fold up neatly and in a pocket, and once you take it out and poof! A blanket that will provide you warmth and there is another type of cloth tha-."

"Cloaks!" the lightning warrior shouted. "Don't forget badass cloaks! When we appear in a saloon, everyone will think twice before fighting us."

"Are we allowed to enter a bar?" inquired the wind warrior."

"It varies by nation. The Kingdom of Chiara's drinking age is twenty-three. We have to have an adult peer present to drink at age eighteen." stated the flora warrior while looking through the documents. "I asked Jin awhile ago. We can enter a bar, but they will ask for our license, so we can't lie."

"You wanted to drink as you got there, right?" Sam smirked at the plant girl. "Crazy girl."

Lina smiled at him. "Just curious. Scotland's drinking age is eighteen. Sixteen and seventeen if you have to have an adult present."

"Every country has a varying drinking age." sighed Christina. "Sixteen is the youngest in some countries. Even if we are allowed, let's be reasonable."

Blair nodded. "W-we have to put out a limit on ourselves. Lina, please have someone watch you."

The flora warrior smirked. "So, you volunteer?"

"I... no."

Lina pouted, then glance at Sam. "Sammy." A rhythmic tone came from her lips.

"When you say my name like that, I feel like I need fill out a life insurance policy."

"So, yes?"

"Put a hold on thinking about alcohol for now." ordered the fire warrior, appearing worried. "I'm afraid Reinstar might lecture us if she heard about this conversation." He held up his finger to his lips, shushing them as he painstakingly eyed the room. Everyone else looked around curiously and worriedly. No one said a word for thirty seconds until Jake let out an exasperated sigh. "Good."

"But." the electric warrior spoke up. "She might appear when your guard is down."

"Or after you finished that sentence." groaned the wind warrior.

Everyone fell silent again, waiting for the sly shinobi, until a squeaky sneeze made them flinch. They turned to Amy who wiped her nose. She smiled at them cutely. "Sorry."

"She won't materialize if we suspect her too." said the ice warrior, also guarded.

"Not unless she spends the night in our closet to spy on us." snarked Ryu. "Right, Jake?"

"Oh?" Lina had a curious smile. "Is that how you two met?

"Drop it." chided the fire warrior. "That was completely different. She wanted to see if the crystal caused me harm. It's completely strange for a random woman to suddenly hide my closet without me knowing."

"And us?" the light warrior pointed at herself, humor evident on her face. "What if us girls hid in your closet?"

"That would be a different scenario... and things wouldn't be as strange."

An idea surfaced in Ryu, but he locked it up for later. "I see."

The water warrior glanced at the lightning warrior. "What are you up to?"

"Nothing."

The water eyed him critically. "It has to be tame."

"It will be."

"Let's all be appreciative about Sir Pilot's return." the ice warrior displayed a smile. "I know most of us were worried."

"Definitely." replied the fire warrior. "We should buy something for him."

"Nah." shrugged the wind warrior. "I doubt he wants anything fancy, he looks like a simple man."

"Okay, no huge celebration." The light warrior showed excitement while standing up. "But we can make something he might like. A tasty dish, and a simple piece of equipment."

"Meeting the Crimson Blade." The terra warrior had a light smile. "Training under him will be worth it since the six of you benefitted from him."

"Definitely." add the lightning warrior. "He drills into you the importance of everything! How you throw a punch, your adroit, the way you stare at a person to make them wet themselves. Man that was intense."

"You did ask how killing intent felt." giggled the water warrior.

"Oh, I wonder how his gaze is compared to Jin's." said the flora warrior. "He sounds like he is less overt in his declaration to the company and the crown."

"He's refuses to be boisterous." said the ice warrior. "The man's dedication is reflected in the tone of his voice and actions."

"I'm anxious about meeting him," said the shadow warrior. "I've heard many tales about him, but it sounds like he became more… intense… no just not as carefree. I-I get he is a warrior, but it feels like he needs to laugh more."

"He does, but you have to be there. Out of all of them." pondered Jake. "He laughs the least. Javo laughs more, and Reinstar looks like she is plotting ways to screw your mind."

Ryu chuckled. "Yeah, like hiding in your closet."

The fire warrior snorted. "Uh huh. Besides that, is there anything else we need to discuss?"

Jack closed his eyes, he took a deep breath and exhaled softly before speaking. "I'll be releasing my sister in two weeks. I need you all to remind me every day until that date."

"That's great, but why do we need to remind you?" Amy displayed a curious expression.

"He is constantly transitioning the date until practically next summer." Lina showed a solemn gaze. "We can't delay her release because of your unease."

"So far some have regained their desires." Christina smiled at him. "I know the cloak figure was... suspicious, but it is right about that."

"We'll remind you." Blair nodded. "And have hope."

"Definitely." said Jake, a confident smile on his face.

Jack nodded, showing a small smile. "Thanks."

The Fire Radiant nodded to him, then looked around the room, seeing everyone supportive faces. He nodded at them. "This concludes our meeting."

Before they started leaving, their phones dinged simultaneously. They all took out their phones.

"At the same time?" Sam hummed, looking at the phone. "It's from Tina." He checked the message, revealing an image. "Is that... three feathers?"

Amy narrowed her eyes as she analyzed at the image. "That looks like the phoenix feather... but why three?"

Jake's phone rang, prompting him to answer. "What's wrong?"

Everyone turned to him, as they watched his face morphed from concern, to confusion to surprise. "Really? Are you sur-okay, okay. I'll bring Reinstar, yes I know she will take them away, but this is strange! Alright, I'll be there." He disconnected and let an exhausted sigh.

"What happened?" asked Amy, concern on her face. "Is Tina okay?"

"She's fine... She went to her room and found the three feathers... she thinks it cloned itself."

"Cloned itself?" Lina repeated, her surprise mirrored by the others. Her expression morphed into a calculative glare. She adjusted her glasses and moved toward the door in a brisk pace. "Come! The pursuit of knowledge does not wait!"

"Wait!" the fire warrior shouted as he ran after her. "Wait until we tell Reinstar!"

Jack watched them leave, marring his face was a frown. "I don't like this. Suddenly the feather changes at a time like this. This bothers me."

"On one hand." smirked Ryu. "I smell another adventure on the horizon. Probably fighting big birds, probably kaiju size."

The shadow warrior shivered. "Are we strong enough for kaiju monsters?"

"Like Godzilla?" The light warrior frowned. "We would need a giant robot."

The wind warrior groaned. "Ha! We're better off facing a Power Ranger threat than Godzilla. Knowing us, we might fight a kaiju beast."

"I hope not." replied the water warrior. "Facing a giant beetle was bad enough. Fighting a beast that could level downtown by stomping is too much and difficult to contain until we find a weakness.

The ice warrior shook her head while leaving the room. "Our lives will continue to be abnormal."